The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-07-01
MR.. MEGILP'S PICTURE.
The Good Fortune That Came Out
Of a "Bill Of Sale"


Mr.. Michael Angelo Megilp was
young artist of some performance and
of considerable promise. But, like
many other men in that position, he
was often heavily handicapped by the
want of ready money, for though his
pictures were tolerably well spoken of
by the critics and lauded to the skies
by his friends, the picture-dealers gave
him only very moderate price for
them.
STILL spite of this drawback, Megilp,
being of cheerful, happy-go-lucky dis
position, kept up his courage, worked
early and late in his studio, and be-
lieved firmly that some day a favorable
turn in his affairs would come. He
had married early Il young lady pos
sessed of more beauty than fortune; in
fact, Mr.. Megilp's marriage portion of
G600 only just paid for the furnishing
of the house and studio at Kensington.
where the young couple began house
keeping.
But with the best intentions, the
young wife was not very skillful man
ager, so gradually the Megilps glided
into debt, and in due course the trades
people became FESTIVE and refused fur
ther supplies until their little bills were
paid When Michael Angelo and his
wife came to add up their liabilities,
they found that they amounted to near
ly f200, a sum total which seemed ter
rifle to poor little Mrs Megilp.
"Where on earth can we get goo,
Angy?" she cried, clasping her hands
tragically. "All your pictures, even if
you could sell them, wouldn't fetch
half that.
There's the furniture, you know,
Madge, hazarded Megilp. at was
bought with your money. What do
you say to-
"Oh. don't--dOn't sell it; l couldn't
bear to part with all my pretty things"
she interrupted, with loving glance
round her drawing-room, which was
quite picture of modest elegance.
81 shouldn't think of asking you to
make such a sacrifice, my DEAR" re-
piled Michael Angelo, soothingly; "but
we could raise E200 on it easily"
You're quite-Quite sure the fur
niture would be safeP"
Perfectly safe; and l think / know
the man who will do the business-a
bill of sale, you know-not half a bad
way of raising money"
According Megilp went next morning
down to Wardour street, and in a dirty
little bric-a-brac shop he unearthed the
worthy Israelite who was to oblige him
with the loan.
"You want E200 on q bill of sale on
your furniturep" said Mr.. Zerubbabel,
when the artist had explained his en-
rand. II must come down to your
house and see what you have got be-
fore l can give you an answer"
Surely you can take my word that
there is ample security for the amount
want. Besides presents, we ourselves
spent over 5000 only two years ago."
replied Michael Angelo, angrily.
MIR. Zerubbabel laid his fat forefnger
along his great, hooked nose and
winked, adding:
81 dare say. Still, I'd rather have
q look at it before we do business. If
you give me your address I'll call on
you tomorrow"
Michael Angelo swallowed his vexa-
ton as best he could, gave his address,
and left the bric-a-brac shop.
MIR. Zerubbabel duly paid his visit of
inspection, and in the course of few
days the negotiation was fat ac-
compH The Megilps paid their bills,
the tradespeople smiled once more on
Mrs. Megilp, and matters went on
quite smoothly for several months.
The interest on the f20O was punctual-
ly paid, and early in the year Michael
Angelo finished the picture he in
tended to send in to Burlington
House.
Every one who entered the studio
prophesied great things of this pic
ture, and every one agreed that
Chloe Counting her Chickens" was,
so far, Megilp's Chef d@avre. The
artist himself founded all his hopes of
fame on this charming work.
Il won't take a penny less than $500
for it, he said to his wife after the
visit of a distinguished art critic to his
studio. "Carper says it will take the
town by storm-and so it will.
81 wish you could sell ii soon"
sighed Mrs, Megilp. 81 often feel I'M
comfortable about that dreadful bill
of sale--it's like what s-his-name's
sword hanging over our heads"
''Oh, the furniture is safe enough"
replied Michael Angelo, lightly. '.But
! tell you what it is, Madge, it handi-
caps me frightfully to have bill of
sale registered against me-"
why don't you go and see Zerub-
babel, and try to come to terms with
him!" suggested Mrs. Megilp. "Of
course, he has heard of Chloe every
one has-and if you promise to pay
him when you have sold your picture.
surely he can't refuse to give you back
that horrid document.
Though hardly taking this optimis-
tic view of matters, Megilp acted on
his wifes advice, and forthwith paid
visit to Mr.. Zerubbabers shop.
When he had preferred his request,
the bric-a- brac seller smiled and shook
his head. sI
micah Zerubbabel wasn't born yes
terday," he said with cunning look